Spatial analysis of the soil erosion in the hydrographic basin of Formoso River: subsidy to politics of land use and environmental preservation in a region of Brazilian Cerrado

The erosion of the soil is one of the most worrisome environmental problems of the planet, which causes negative impacts as fertility loss of lands and water bodies pollution. The objective of this paper was to analyze the soil erosion in the hydrographic basin of Formoso River, located in the state of Goiás, Brazilian Cerrado. Most part of the hydrographic basin area belongs to the Emas National Park Conservation Unit. To estimate the soil loss from surface erosion, remote sensing products were used, geoprocessing tools and the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). The annual erosion values in the basin varied from 0 t ha-1 year-1 to 8315 t ha-1 year-1, with 85.88% of the total area for soil losses classified in the slight category. The highest soil losses are associated with high results for R, K and LS factors in agricultural use, which represents 29.12% of the total area, with losses of 97.78% of soil from real erosion, in soils classified dystrophic Red Latosol, medium texture and high topographic values areas. The agricultural areas and the analysis of the real erosion reassures the necessity of proper planning, considering correct management techniques, in order to it won’t compromise the water resource. This study could subsidize the planning and management of the referred hydrographic basin and this important preservation area of the Cerrado.Keywords: Geoprocessing; Remote sensing; Cerrado; USLE; Emas National Park. Análise espacial da erosão do solo na bacia hidrográfica do Rio Formoso: subsídio à política de uso do solo e preservação ambiental em uma região do cerrado brasileiro R E S U M OA erosão do solo é um dos problemas ambientais mais preocupantes do planeta, que causa impactos negativos, como perda de fertilidade das terras e poluição dos corpos d'água. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a erosão do solo na bacia hidrográfica do Rio Formoso, localizado no estado de Goiás, Cerrado brasileiro. A maior parte da área da bacia hidrográfica pertence à Unidade de Conservação do Parque Nacional das ...